Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments

The first step in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is to diagnose it properly. This happens using a sleep study which is more formally known as a polysomnogram. This involves visiting an accredited sleep lab where a technician will attach a series of electrodes and wires to the body. These monitor things like respiration, abdominal force, eye movement so they can track what sleep stage you are in. They will also have a breathing monitor and a camera present in your room.

The camera is very important because it actually physically records someone having an apnea. It is not uncommon for patients to know that they have woken themselves up due to not breathing or to wake up and actually not be able to breathe, taking a second to catch their breath. However some other patients have no idea that they have a problem, they believe they sleep just fine. It is the bed partner who often cannot handle the snoring and the sounds who finally forces them to get treatment.

After the sleep study is executed the doctor and the sleep technicians will review the results with you. At that point it might warrant another one, which is called a CPAP titration. CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, which is basically one of the most natural treatments you will find in sleep disorder medicine. It involves taking a mask or nasal unit of some kind which is connected to an air hose and compressor. Essentially this compressor which is set at a pressure prescribed by the doctor, is used to force air into the oral cavity and into the throat to expand the airway and prevent it from collapsing.

There are many different masks and face units that can be used. In the early days of sleep medicine CPAP choices where limited and the discomfort of wearing one prevented many people from seeking treatment. Nowadays we have so many more options, more people are staying complaint and use their prescribed machine. This usually leads to better sleep and better health.

Other treatments that can be used for other people such as an oral mandibular advancement device. This is some sort of dental apparatus, that is not usually indicated for everyone. You need to have certain conditions in your mouth to get one of those. Then there is a type of surgery called a UPPP which involves surgery on the uvula and soft palate on the throat. That is usually performed by an ear, nose, throat doctor and again surgery is not always an option for everyone.